Counterbalanced end doors for drop end gondola cars



Nov. 6, 1956 E. e. eoobwm 2,759,405

COUNTERBALANCED END DOORS FOR DROP END GONDOLA CARS Filed Sept. 25, 19512 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor: I Ernest G. Goodwin WMI% his Attorneys Nov.6, 1956 E. e. GOODWIN COUNTERBALANCED END DOORS FOR DROP END GONDOLACARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25 1951 FIG. 3

Inventor;

Ernest G. Goodwin his Attorneys United States Fatent (9 COUNTERBALANCEDEND DOORS FOR DROP END GONDOLA CARS Ernest G. Goodwin, Toledo, Ohio,assignor to Unitcast Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication September 25, 1951, Serial No. 248,227

11 Claims. (Cl. 105406) This invention relates to gondola cars and moreparticularly to gondola cars provided with pivoted end doors.

The principal object of the invention, generally considered, is toprovide an end door of a gondola car having at its lower portion hingedpintles which are adapted to engage corresponding pintles carried by thecar sides, and to extend through the hinged pintles flat spring membersso that the door, when assembled, will be counterbalanced to enabletrainmen to raise the door from open to closed position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a door assemblycomprising the door body, hinged portions rigidly. connected to the doorbody, hinged members rigidly connected to the car sides and springmembers extending longitudinally of the door for giving to the door thedesired torsion for counterbalancing the weight thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a drop end doorof the character described a chamber adapted to house the springmembers, said chamber being preferably substantially circular in sectionand adapted to house a spring retainer and torsioning means by which thetorsion of the spring members may be finally adjusted;

Another object of the invention is to provide a method :of mounting adrop end door of the character described whereby the spring members,torsioned as the door is dropped into place, may be further torsioned byfirst turning and then securing their inner portions'relative '.to thedoor to adjust the torsion to the weight of the door.

Other objects and features of the invention will herein- :after morefully appear in'the detailed description of the :preferred embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in the .accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through a gon- 'dola car takenimmediately in the rear of the upright position of the car door.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the :structure shown inFigure 1, partially in elevation and partially in section, certain ofthe structural parts of the tear being omitted for the sake of clarity.

Figure 3 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken on line 33 of Figure1, the direction of view being indicated by the arrows adjacent the endsof the sectional lines.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 44 ofFigure 1.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 ofFigure 1, the direction of view being indicated by the arrows at the endof the section line, and

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 ofFigure 4, the direction of view being indicated by the arrows adjacentthe ends of the section line. 1

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates theside sheets of a gondola car; the numeral 2, the corner posts;'3, thefloor sheet; 4, 5 and 6, the end sill construction; and 77 are thecenter sills. The said parts being of the usual construction, a furtherdescription will be unnecessary.

, Adjacent the car ends and riveted to the side sheets are ice thehinged members 8, each of which is formed with a cylindrical boss 9,which is interiorly provided with tapering walls 10 leading to a flat,transverse slot or angular recess 11, the width of the slot being variedas shown in Figure 2, the slot at the left-hand side of the door asillustrated in this figure being of sufiicient width to receive two ofthe plate springs or torque bars 12, while the slot 13 in the other boss14 is of sufficient width to receive four of the plate springs 12.

' Secured to the outer flange 15 of the door 16 and to the transverseplate 17 of the door are bosses 18 which are adapted to pivotallyembrace the bosses 9 of the hinged members 8, the inner ends 19 of thebosses 18 extend into the member or housing 20 which may be formed bybending the plate 21 so as to provide a substantially U-shaped portionhaving upstanding legs 22 and 23, the leg 22 overlapping the outer faceof the sheet 17 of the door and being welded thereto by the weldment 24,as clearly shown in Figure 5. The leg 23 is adapted to abut the lowerflange 25 of the transverse door plate 17 and is preferably securedthereto by the weldment 26.

I There is provided in the flange 25 of the door a slot 27 as clearlyshown in Figures 3 and 6. The position of the slot 27 transversely ofthe door is dependent upon the number of springs 12 which may beemployed. If, as illustrated in the drawings, four springs are extendedinwardly from the hinged pintle on the right side of the car and onlytwo from that on the left side of the car,

the slot 27 is positioned at a point where the torsionalefiect on thesets of springs will besubstantially equaL.

That is to say, the slot 27 will be placed much nearer the left side ofthe car than the right side. The foregoing is merely descriptive of theposition of the slot and that position is also dependent upon the lengthand width 0 the respective spring plates 12.

Seated within the member 20 and having an arm ex-.

30 and 31 being of a size to receive the adjacent endof the respectivesprings 12. The arm or rigid lug 32 projeeting outwardly from the centerof the casting 28 is adapted to be received in the slot 27 and isprovided with a curved recess 33 for receiving the end or adjacent sideof a crowbar or the like, not illustrated. It will be understood, ofcourse, that the car sides adjacent the upper'end of the door areprovided with fastening means to maintain the door in vertical or closedposition. Since these fastening means, while shown in Figure 1, do notconstitute any part of applicants present invention, no furtherreference will be made to the same.

To assemble the device the member 20 is formed; the casting 28 isinserted therein and moved to position so that the arm 32 is inalignment with the slot 27 inthe The member 20 is then welded" to thedoor with the arm 32 extending through the slot 27.

flange 25 of the door.

The springs 12 are then inserted into the casting 28 and the doorportions of the hinged pintle, i. e. the members 18, are then secured tothe ends of the member 20. Thev hinged members 8 are then inserted overthe end of the springs and into the recesses in the members 18. Thesprings and hinged members are then held to the door and the latter isapplied to a gondola car in the manner de- 7 are.causedtto rotaterelative weight ofuth'e particular door.

to the casting 28, thustensioning or torque loading the spring members.After the hinged members 8 have been riveted in position, the door isswungLopen toascertain whether or'not sufiicient torsiorr resides in thespring members to counterbalance-the If it is found that there is-insuflicienttorsion,in the springs, -a crowb'ar istheninterposedubetween.th'ei doorsheet 17 and the opening.

'ddonhhas b n. d1:0pped-ClOWn' in final mounting posit inztheQCar, thecombination of a plurality oftorsion bars disposed in saidhous'ing andextending outwardly beyond thetends thereof,.a spooldisposed for partialrotation in said housingand having oppositely opening angularrecessesnto respectively receive the respective inner; end portions. ofsairLtorsion bars and being formed with 'an integral,lug extending insaid slot and movable therein inian .arcraboirttheaxis of said housingand adapted to besecuredin fixedrposition therein incident to the finaladjustmentsofcthe torque loadon said torque bars, said spoolbeiligformed with abutment faces limiting its par- V tiallrotary movement inboth'directions, said male hinge memberslrespectively being formedwithangular recesses toirespectivelvreceive the'respective outer .endportions of .the' re's'pective torque bars, said male members aftertherdo'or is dropped to its final position being held against rotationandv with'said spool, giving said torque'bars an initial torque load,and the mounting of the spoolfor free partialtrotation permitting it tobe given a partial rotation..to give the final individual adjustmentofthe load onlsaidrtorque bars, said lug being then secured againstany'r'novement inany direction'in said slot.

vided. with a ing rigid therewithrand extending in said slot, said poolbeing formed with an abutment face limiting its partial rotarymovementin one direction, and said car hinge members respectively being formedwith angular recesses to respectively receive the respective outer endportions of the respective torque bars. 1

4. In a drop end door f r a gondola car, said door 1 bein'g formed witha slot, door hinge members "carried by said door, and cooperating carhingemembers to be secured in position to theside of the car aftenthedoor has been dropped down in finalrnounting position in the car, thecombination of a plurality of torsion bars disposed in said door andextending outwardly beyond portions thereof, a spool, disposed forpartial rotation in said door and having oppositely opening angularrecesses to receive the respective inner end portions of said torsionbars and being provided with a lug rigid therewith and extending insaidslot and movable therein in an arc and adapted to besecured ina fixedposition therein incident toithe 'final adjustment of thetorque-load ofsaid torque bars, said spool being formed with an abutmentface limitingits partial rotary movement in'one direction.

5 In a drop end door for a gondola car, said'door being formed with aslot, door hinge'menibers carried by said door,- and cooperating carhinge membersrto be secured in position to the side walls 'of the carafter the door'h'as" been dropped down in final mounting *position inthecar,

' the combination of a torsion bar disposed in said door 72.. In ac-dropdoor for a: gondola car, said door having v alubularhou'sing at itslower portion and a slot opening into said-"housing; door hinge memberscarried'bysaid door, and cooperating car hinge members to be securedin;position;t'o ifhe sidewalls of-the car after the'door has 7 beendroppe'd 'down in finalmounting position in the car, T

the combination-tote plurality of torsion bars disposed in said;ho'usingand extending outwardly beyond the ends thereoflaspool disposed-forpartial rotation in said housingwanduhavingoppositely opening angularrecesses to respectiyelyireceive the respective inner ends of therespectivestorsionbars and being formed with an integral H lngextendinginsaidslot and movable therein in an are" about .the axisiof said spooland adapted to 'be secured ins-fixed position-thereinincident to thefinal adjustment of the torque load on-said'torque bars, said spoolbeing for'medciwith :abutment face limiting its partial rotary movementinboth directions, and'said car hinge members respective1y being formedwith angular recesses to respecandextending outwardly beyond a portion:thereof, a

spool disposed'forpartialrotation in said door and ha'ving anan'gul'arrecess-to receive the inner end portion of said torsion rod'and having alug rigid withit-and extending in "said slot and movable'therein an arcandadapted to be "secured in a fixed position therein incident to thefinal adjustment of'the'torque load of 'said torque bar; said spoolbeing formed with an'abutrnent'limiting its partial rotary movementinone direction.

65in a-di'o'p" end 'd'oor'for a gondola car, said doorbeing" formed witha'slot, door hinge members carried by-said door, and cooperating carhinge-members to be secured; V

in position to the sidewalls ofthe car afteftliedoor has' beer'idrop'peddown in' final mounting position in theicar, V the combination of 'atorsion bar disposed in said door' andflex'ter'iding outwardlyfbeyond aportion thereof, a spooldisposed=for partial rotation-in said door "andhav-- ing 'an-angula'rrecess toreceive therinner portion of said torsionrodandihavinga lugrigid with it and extending in 'said slotand movabletherein in anarc'a nd adapted" to be secured in a fixedpo'sitionthereinineident'to'the;

finaladjiistment of the torque load-on-said torque bar.

7. "Door-'rnechani"s'm'for'a drop end door of a gondolaf" car,comprising a-torque bar disposed in'said doon sa id bj'ar" having i anouter end extending outwardly beyond a.

V portion ofsaid door and'anchored' to a side of"said'car;

tiyelys receive the respective outer end portions of .the

respectiye tolquo. bars. t Y V V 3, I drop end door; for a gondola car,said door have naattufiq r sho tin a t ow p rt n; a a s u opening intosaid housing door hinge members carried r V I dcooperating. car hingemembers to be seeur'e'd 'in position to the side walls of the car afterthe has eentrreppe down iii final mounting positron min car, thecombination of a plurality of 'to'r disposed in said housing andextending out- Wardlyibeyond theendsthereof, a spool disposedforp'a'itial rotation in said housing and having oppositely opening angularrecesses to receive respectively theres'peca spool carried-by said doorintermediate sides thereof and disposed forpa'rtial rotation relativethereto, said spool having aslo t'rec'eiving an innerportio'n of saidtorque "bar, means for rotating sa'idspool to adjustthe torque loadonsaid bar, and means for securing said spool.

against rotation relativeto-s aid door and thereby fixing; the torqueload'on said bar. Y

'8 'lna'm th'odof m wherein, firstiyfthe doorfvvith the car hingememb'ers associated therewith is manipulated into proper positionwithrelation-tof a" gondola car, secondly,- the door'with;

said car hinge members is lowered into position and simultaneouslvwitlfthe-final' 'stages "of such lowering "said car hinge membersarepartially rotatedin one direction-to twist said torque barswhile'the'inner end porftions-"ofsaid torque bars are held'againstturning, and -thirdlyythe car V htn ge-niembers arepeinianen-tlysecured -inand to the car; the subsequent stepscomprising-tuining'the inner end tive inn'er end" portions of saidtorsion bars and beingipr portiens of the torque "ba'rs' in the-revefsedirecnon while untingadrop door in a gondola an and adjusting'the'torque'loadof torque bars tending to move thedoor'trom open-towardclosed-position,-

holding their outer end portions against turning to adjust the torqueload of the torque bars in accordance with the Weight of the particularindividual doors, and securing the inner ends of said torque barsagainst rotary movement relative to said door.

9. In a method of mounting a drop door in a gondola car and adjustingthe torque load of a torque bar tending to move the door from opentoward closed position, wherein, firstly, the door with the car hingemembers associated therewith is manipulated into proper position withrelation to a gondola car, secondly, the door with said car hingemembers is lowered into position and simultaneously with the finalstages of such lowering one of said car hinge members is partiallyrotated in one direction to twist said torque bar while the inner endportion of said torque bar is held against turning, and thirdly, the carhinge members are permanently secured in and to the car; the subsequentsteps comprising, turning the inner end portion of the torque bar in thereverse direction while holding its outer end portion against turning toadjust the torque load of the torque bar in accordance with the weightof the particular individual door, and securing the inner end of saidtorque bar against rotary movement relative to said door.

10. In a method of mounting a drop door in a gondola car and adjustingthe torque load of torque bars tending to move the door from open towardclosed position, wherein, firstly the door is manipulated into properposition with relation to a gondola car, and, secondly, the door islowered into position and simultaneously with the final stages of suchlowering the outer end portions of said torque bars are partiallyrotated in one direction while 6 their inner end portions are heldagainst turning to twist said torque bars to a definite fixed standarddegree; the subsequent steps comprising adjusting the torque load of thetorque bars by turning the inner end portions of the torque bars in thereverse direction while holding their outer end portions against turningin accordance With the torque load required by the weight of theparticular individual door, and securing the inner ends of said torquebars against rotary movement relative to said door.

11. In a method of mounting a drop door in a gondola car and adjustingthe torque load of a torque bar tending to move the door from opentoward closed position,- wherein firstly, the door is manipulated intoproper posi tion with relation to a gondola car, and secondly, the dooris lowered into position and simultaneously with the final stages ofsuch lowering the outer portion of said torque bar is partialy rotatedin one direction while the inner portion thereof is held against turningto twist said torque bar to a definite fixed standard degree; thesubsequent steps comprising adjusting the torque load of the torque barby turning the inner portion thereof in the reverse direction whileholding its outer portion against turning in accordance with the torqueload required by the weight of the particular individual door, andsecuring the inner portion of said torque bar against rotary movementrelative to said door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,580,760 Goodwin Jan. 1, 1952

